Rapha Women’s Classic Bib Shorts

Tell us what the product is for

Rapha says, 'Developed for all-round riding, the Women's Classic Bib Shorts offer exceptional performance and comfort in a wide range of riding conditions. And now updated to incorporate recycled materials, our most comfortable bibs also have a lower impact. The shorts are cut from a high-stretch, matt fabric that is breathable and wicks sweat efficiently. The shorts use a chamois pad designed specifically for women and have a panelled construction to guarantee a superb fit. Flatlock stitching throughout means they won't chafe, no matter how long or hard you ride. The improved design eliminates zips on the upper section and instead features a scooped neckline that makes taking the shorts on and off a lot easier. The soft hem grippers that secure the shorts in place are now wider to reduce compression. Designed to be worn with the Medium Support Bra or the Light Support Bra, the back of the shorts also has a large cutaway section for maximum breathability.'

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From the Rapha website:

How this was made

Classic Bib Shorts are now made using recycled nylon. Using recycled nylon allows us to create a product with exceptional performance and durability whilst reducing our environmental impact.

Size-specific and dual-density chamois

Main material made using recycled Nylon

Highly breathable upper section

Updated wider hem grippers

Flatlock stitching for reduced bulk

Printed Rapha logos feature on either leg

Available in a range of colours

Main:

58% Recycled Nylon

42% Elastane

Contrast:

73% Recycled Nylon

27% Recycled Elastane

Care

Wash at 40°C on gentle cycle

Wash dark colours separately

Cool iron only

Do not bleach

Do not tumble dry

Do not dry clean

Very well made.

They do the job very well.

Leg hem/gripper is slightly loose, though it's not something I noticed while riding – the gripper is super-grippy.

The neckline and arm holes of the bib section are elasticated, and until you put the shorts on and stretch the straps into place to make them lie flat, they're slightly gathered. I thought it might make them uncomfortable, that they'd dig in, but they don't.

They're perfectly comfortable, if not quite as super-comfy as other Rapha bib shorts I've worn. The seams are flatlock stitched and the fabric feels pleasant against the skin, if not quite as silky as that of the Pro Teams I tested in 2019. Maybe that's the (lower) price you pay for being more eco.

The pad is comfortable for at least three hours in the saddle, though again I'd say the Pro Teams' pips it very slightly; the Classic feels very slightly firmer/denser.

The leg grippers are a bit of a strange one. They're quite deep (5.5cm) and the vertical lines of silicone are very grippy, but the whole thing is quite hefty. I must confess I noticed it more off the bike than on – they don't move when you're pedalling – but they don't hold around the leg as gently as the softer cuffs of the Pro Teams.

Pretty pricey compared with many, though certainly not the most expensive.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

You can wash these at 40°C – not the usual 30.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

On the whole, they perform very well. I didn't notice the slightly odd-fitting hems when out on the bike; it's more obvious when just standing around. The recycled nylon fabric seems breathable, and the low scooped neckline no doubt helps with cooling. I always get on well with Rapha's pads, and this one's no exception, though it does feel very slightly firmer than the Pro Team/Souplesse's.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The quality and general ride comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The slightly loose leg hems are less than ideal, though they don't seem to affect performance. Maybe those with less weedy legs will achieve a better fit. I also prefer a detachable bib, or 'easy pee' design as our tech writer Anna puts it.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

They're at the high end of the market, but cheaper than the Pro Team Detachable Bib Shorts (£195) and Gore's C7 Women's Bib Shorts (£199.99), which Emma thought were excellent. They're also cheaper than Le Col's Women's Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II, which Anna found very comfortable but not the best quality for their £180 rrp.

Use this box to explain your overall score

They're good, but I prefer the softer hems of the Pro Team Detachable Bib Shorts. I didn't find it a problem when riding, but I'd like closer to perfection for this much money.